Self-expression without craft leads to works that are not easy to understand.
Just focusing on craft leads to pieces that have nothing to say.
You need both.
Writers are careful about their choice of words. Their stories convey life lessons and entertainment.
Musicians have honed their skills for years. They are great musicians when they can evoke emotions.
Moviemakers use an unimaginable amount of storytelling devices to help support the telling of the story. Production design, cinematography, acting, lighting, costume design, everything is designed with craft to express the story well. And then they have something to say.
Practice fundamentals, but also go out in the world and experience life. Have something to say.
And with that, let's move on to focusing on some tools that sharpen our craft!
I spent some time rotating forms in my sketchbook and on the website.
The twisted box model was modified.
I didn't like it; it wasn’t twisted enough, so you could not see both sides well. Now, the twist eases in and out, slowly accelerating to a turn. It looks much better and can be an excellent start for an imagined pose, a twisted torso. (Hint!)
Remember to click on the dice icon! It randomizes the model by changing its length and twist. I wonder if that dice icon is clear enough. No other place I know of has these parametrized, randomized 3D models for drawing reference.
I randomized the stairs model some more.
The steps were initially fixed-size but are now variable-sized. Because each step doesn't have to be precisely the same, these stairs are easier to draw! (Hint!)
And a new model. This random curve is traced around a line to get a cylindrically symmetric organic form.
The 3D viewer was improved. Most notable is the addition of the “puzzle” button, which removes most construction lines so that you can figure it out from the information on the screen as an exercise. Just tap on the puzzle icon again to see a solution!
Click on the images to try it out with these specific models. (Hint!)
Happy drawing!